Escrow fundamentals
What Is a Crypto Escrow?
A crypto escrow locks tokens in a smart contract until the parties agree, then pays the recipients or refunds the depositors.
October 31, 2026 · 4 min read
DeFiEscrow blog
Crypto escrow guides
Guides to non-custodial crypto escrow on Ethereum for real estate closings, business deals, fees, disputes, and ETH, USDC, or USDT settlement. 21 are published. The working list of 100 topics, including pieces still in progress, is on the topic list.
No published guides match that search.
Escrow fundamentals
What a crypto escrow is, how it differs from a shared wallet, and which rules actually move the funds.
Escrow fundamentals
Custodial vs Non-Custodial Crypto Escrow
Custodial escrow means a company holds the funds. A non-custodial crypto escrow means the smart contract holds them, and no operator can rewrite the payout.
October 31, 2026 · 4 min read
Escrow fundamentals
Smart Contract Escrow, Explained
A smart contract escrow is a program on Ethereum that holds ETH or stablecoins and moves them only when its published rules are met.
October 31, 2026 · 4 min read
Escrow fundamentals
What a Smart Contract Escrow Cannot Do
A smart contract escrow does not transfer title, split a dispute, hold an NFT, or release half a payout. Read the limits before you promise otherwise.
October 31, 2026 · 4 min read
Using DeFiEscrow
How to create a deal in the app: parties, the 1% fee, deadlines, release, and withdrawal.
Using DeFiEscrow
How DeFiEscrow Works
Create a DeFiEscrow, fund it, approve it, release it, and withdraw. A plain-language walkthrough of the app and the contract behind it.
October 31, 2026 · 4 min read
Using DeFiEscrow
The DeFiEscrow Protocol Fee
The DeFiEscrow protocol fee is 1% of the deal amount, with a 0.05 ETH minimum on native ETH escrows. Network gas is a separate cost.
October 31, 2026 · 4 min read
Using DeFiEscrow
Unanimous Approval in a Multi-Party Escrow
In a multi-party escrow, funds move only after every participant approves. A holdout blocks release until a deadline or a dispute refunds deposits.
October 31, 2026 · 4 min read
Using DeFiEscrow
Escrow Funding Deadlines and Approval Deadlines
A funding deadline and an approval deadline are how an unfinished escrow refunds. After everyone approves, those deadlines no longer cancel the deal.
October 31, 2026 · 4 min read
Real estate closings
Where ETH, USDC, or USDT fits in a property closing, and what still has to happen off-chain.
Real estate closings
Crypto Escrow for Real Estate Closings
How buyers, sellers, and brokers can hold a real estate deposit or purchase price in ETH, USDC, or USDT until every participant approves.
October 31, 2026 · 4 min read
Real estate closings
Buying Property with USDC
Buying property with USDC means locking a dollar-tracked stablecoin until closing conditions are met off-chain. The deed is still a local legal act.
October 31, 2026 · 4 min read
Real estate closings
Earnest Money Deposits in Crypto
An earnest money deposit in crypto can sit in escrow through an inspection period. Map that period to the approval deadline, not to a handshake.
October 31, 2026 · 5 min read
Business closings
Acquisitions, equipment, and other company deals where more than two wallets have to agree.
Business closings
Multi-Party Escrow for Business Closings
A business closing often needs more than two wallets. Here is how to split a payout, add an acknowledger, and keep deposits equal to payouts.
October 31, 2026 · 4 min read
Milestones and private trades
Freelance milestones, contractor payments, and OTC trades structured around one approval rule.
Milestones and private trades
Milestone Payments for Freelancers
Milestone payments for freelancers work best as one escrow per stage. DeFiEscrow releases the whole payout at once, not a percentage along the way.
October 31, 2026 · 4 min read
Milestones and private trades
OTC Crypto Escrow for Private Trades
An OTC crypto escrow can hold the payment for a private trade. One DeFiEscrow contract cannot swap ETH for USDC inside a single deal.
October 31, 2026 · 4 min read
Disputes and safety
Deadlines, the 30-day dispute refund, wallet mistakes, and what the contract will not decide for you.
Disputes and safety
How Crypto Escrow Disputes Work
Any party can freeze a crypto escrow by raising a dispute. Only the person who raised it can lift the freeze. The contract will not split the funds.
October 31, 2026 · 4 min read
Disputes and safety
Dispute Timeouts and Refunds
After a 30-day dispute timeout, deposits are refunded to the people who paid them. Intended payouts are not sent. Here is the exact result.
October 31, 2026 · 4 min read
Disputes and safety
A Wallet Checklist Before You Fund
Use this wallet checklist before you fund an escrow: site, network, addresses, amounts, and the approval your wallet is actually asking you to sign.
October 31, 2026 · 4 min read
Disputes and safety
No-KYC Crypto Escrow, Explained
A no-KYC crypto escrow does not collect your name. That is not anonymity. Wallet addresses and amounts are still public on Ethereum.
October 31, 2026 · 4 min read
ETH, USDC, and USDT
How to choose the asset, including decimals, allowances, the ETH minimum fee, and depeg risk.
ETH, USDC, and USDT
ETH, USDC, or USDT for Escrow
An ETH escrow, a USDC escrow, or a USDT escrow: how volatility, the 0.05 ETH minimum, and token approvals should change the asset you pick.
October 31, 2026 · 4 min read
ETH, USDC, and USDT
Cross-Border Stablecoin Escrow
A cross-border stablecoin escrow can move a payment without a bank wire. It does not remove sanctions, tax, or licensing rules for the people involved.
October 31, 2026 · 4 min read
Choosing an escrow
How a smart contract compares with a title company, a trust account, or a custodial website.
Choosing an escrow
Crypto Escrow vs Traditional Escrow
Crypto escrow vs traditional escrow is a choice between a fixed smart-contract rule and a licensed intermediary who can exercise judgment.
October 31, 2026 · 4 min read